Safety closure edge



May 23, 1967 N. K. MILLER 3,321,592

SAFETY CLOSURE EDGE Filed July 2l, 1966 wlll;

SM1/ l f a wl NORMAN K. MIL LER www Fm@ 2f] /fa/ /50/ 29C/ if Y UnitedStates Patent O 3,321,592 SAFETY CLSURE EDGE Norman K. Miller,Havertown, Pa., assignor to Miller Brothers, Upper Darby, Pa., apartnership Filed July 21, 1966, Ser. No. 566,880 3 Claims. (Cl.Zilli-61.43)

This invention relates generally to safety devices, and is especiallyconcerned with safety devices for sensing the presence of persons indangerous locations to actuate an alarm signal, stop control, or thelike.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developedfor use with elevator doors, and will be principally illustrated anddescribed hereinafter with respect thereto, it is appreciated that theessence of the instant invention is capable of many varied applications,some of which are illustrated and described hereinafter, and all ofwhich are intended to be comprehended by the appended claims.

As is well known in the field of safety engineering, and specifically tothose concerned with the safe operation of elevator doors, the sensingof persons in the path of door movement requires sensing of engagementfrom many different directions, approximately throughout an arc of 180degrees. Prior attempts at such sensing have not proved entirelysatisfactory, being readily subject to malfunctioning, and relativelycomplex and expensive.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asafety sensing device, as a safety edge for a power-operated door, andin other applications, wherein sensing is achieved throughout a wire arcof at least 180 degrees in an entirely reliable and highly eliicientmanner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a safetysensing device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraph, which is extremely simple in construction, durablethroughout a long useful life, and which can be economicallymanufactured, installed and maintained.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view showing elevator doors employingsafety-edge devices constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken generallyalong the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, greatly enlarged for clarity of detail;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical sectional View taken generally along theline 3-3 of FIGURE 2, but illustrating the mode of operation of theinstant device;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a safetyedge device inanother application, as protecting persons from the nip or bite ofrollers;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 2, but illustratinga slightly modified embodiment of the instant invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URES 2 and 5, butillustrating a further embodiment of the instant invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 2, but illustratinga further modification of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGURES l-3 thereof, a pair of elevator doors are shown in FIGURE 1 at10, which may be mounted in conventional manner for sliding movementtoward each other to the illustrated closed position and away from eachother to an open position. The elevator doors lll each carry on theiradjacent, closing edges a safety-edge device 12 of the presentinvention. The safety-edge devices 12 each extend along the edge or edgeface 13 of a respective door lil, as between the lower and upper edgesof the door. As each of the safety devices 12 may be substantiallyidentical, a detailed description of one will sutlice.

Each safety device 12 includes an inner member 15, which may beadvantageously fabricated of resiliently yieldable material, such as anintegral sheet of plastic foam. The foam sheet of inner member 15 may bemolded upon itself along a longitudinal centerline to define a pair offacing side portions 16, which may be in engagement with each other. Thelongitudinal edges 17 of the side portions 16 are proximate to the edgeface 13 of the door 10, and the inner member 15 projects transverselyfrom the door-edge face to the folded or bight portion 18 of the innermember. In covering relation with the inner member 15 is an innerconductor 19 of exible sheet material, such as aluminum foil, or othersuitably liexible conductive sheet material. The inner conductor 19substantially envelopes the inner member 15, and may be adhesively orotherwise secured to the outer surfaces of the inner-conductor sideportions 16, as well as the outer surface of inner-conductor bightportion 18. Thus, the inner conductor 19, which is advantageous- 1y of asingle integral sheet of ilexible conductive material, substantiallycompletely covers the inner member, extending on opposite sides thereoftoward and terminating proximate to the edge face 13 of the door 10'.

In covering relation with the inner conductor 19 and inner member 15 isan intermediate member Ztl, which is preferably fabricated ofresiliently yieldable sheet material, such as an integral sheet ofplastic form. The intermediate member 20 may advantageously be of theopencell type of foam for containing a maximum of air, to insure rapidrestoration after compression, for reasons which will become more fullyapparent hereinafter. Of course, the inner member 15 may also be of anopen-cell foam material, as well as the outer member to be describedbelow. It is understood that the terminology plastic includes rubber andother suitable materials.

The intermediate member 20 is preferably of an integral sheet formationsubstantially completely covering the outer surface of inner conductor19, extending on opposite sides thereof toward and terminating proximateto the door edge 13. However, the intermediate member 20 may be of anopen formation, having formed therein a plurality of thru openings orholes 21. Thus, while the intermediate member 20 is in facing engagementwith the outer surface of inner conductor 19, a plurality o-f spacedportions of the inner conductor are exposed outwardly thru the openingsor holes 21 of the intermediate member.

Substantially completely covering and in facing engagement with theouter surface of intermediate member 20 is a substantially continuousand integral sheet of ilexible conductive material, such as aluminumfoil, defining an outer conductor 25. As the outer conductor 25conformably overlies the intermediate member 20, with portions of theouter conductor bridging the openings 21, these bridging portions are inspaced confronting relation with the previously described outwardlyexposed portions of inner conductor 19. The outer conductor 25 mayextend on opposite sides of the intermediate member 20 toward andterminate proximate to the door edge 13.

An outer member 26, also preferably formed of an integral sheet ofresiliently yieldable foam material is l0- cated in substantiallycompletely, conformably covering relation with the outer surface ofouter conductor 25.

If desired, the outer member 26 may be adhesively or otherwise securedin facing engagement with the outer conductor 25, and the outer memberextends on opposite sides of the outer conductor toward and terminatesproximate to the door-edge face 13. A casing 27, say ofliquid-impervious flexible sheet material, may completely encase theabove-described structural assemblage of inner member 15, innerconductor 19, intermediate member 20, outer conductor 2S, and outermember 26. The encased assemblage defines a safety edge 12, and may beadhesively or otherwise xedly secured to the door-edge face 13. A pairof conductors or wires 28 and 29 may be respectively connected to innerand outer conductors 19 and 25, and pass in sealed relation through thecasing 27 for electrical connection to suitable operating means 30, suchas an alarm or control, say to stop or reverse door movement.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is diagrammatically illustrated asafety-edge device generally designated 12a, and mounted on a support10a adjacent to the nip or bite of a pair of tangential rollers 35 and36. The rollers 35 and 36 may be assumed to rotate in the direction ofarrows 37 and 38, so that the safety edge or device 12a is located onthe input side of the nip. Thus is shown, for purposes of illustration,another application of the safety-edge construction of the instantinvention. That is, upon movement of a foreign object, say an operatorshand, toward the nip of rollers 35 and 36 into engagement with thesafety device 12a, the device is depressed or distorted to move theinner and outer contacts into electrical engagement with each other forenergizing an alarm or control. Such depression is illustrated in FIGURE3, as by a force indicated by arrow 39 squeezing the outer member 26inward to distort the outer conductor 25 through an opening 21 of theintermediate member 20, and into engagement with the inner conductor 19.This, of course, closes a circuit through the safety operating means 30.

In FIGURE is shown a `further embodiment of safety edge or device inaccordance with the instant invention, there generally designated 12band adapted to sense engagement throughout an arc of substantially 360degrees. The safety device 12b may include a central elongate, rodlikesupport member or core b, having an inner member 15b, say fabricated ofan integral sheet of resiliently yieldable foam and covering the supportso as to extend longitudinally therealong and project transverselytherefrom. The inner resiliently yieldable member 15b may substantiallycompletely surround the central support 10b, and is provided on itsouter face with an inner conductor 19h, say of exible conductive sheetmaterial such as aluminum foil, substantially completely enveloping andcovering the inner member 15b. The conductor sheet 19h may be adhesivelyor otherwise secured to the inner member 15b. An intermediate member2Gb, also advantageously fabricated of resiliently yieldable sheetmaterial, such as foam plastic or rubber, substantially completelycovers and encompasses the inner conductor 19b. The intermediate member20h is formed throughout with a plurality of spaced, thru openings 2lbexposing therethrough outwardly facing surface portions of the inneryconductor 19h.

An outer conductor of suitably flexible conductive sheet material isdesignated h and substantially completely ycovers and envelopes theintermediate member 2Gb, overlying the holes 2lb, so that the overlyingportions of outer conductor 25b are in spaced confronting relation withthe exposed portions of inner conductor 19h. An outer mem ber 26b, whichmay also be fabricated of resiliently yieldable sheet material,substantially completely covers the outer conductor 2512, and an outercasing 27b of flexible impermeable material conformably encases theouter member 2Gb. Electrical ,conductors or wires 28h and 9b areIeSPSiCVely Connected to inner and outer conl ductors 19h and 25b, andextend therefrom in sealed relation through and outwardly beyond thecasing 27b for connection to suitable operating means.

Obviously, the functional relationship of elements in the safety device12b is similar to that described in connection with the safety device12, so that engagement of the outer casing 27b, at any point thereabout,effects depression of the outer member 26h to cause electrical contactand closure of an electrical circuit between the contact sheets ZSb and1917.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown' in FIGURE 6,wherein a safety edge or device 12C is adapted for mounting on arelatively stiff support sheet 10c. The support sheet 10c may include alongitudinal edge 40 along one side margin 41, about which the safetydevice 12C is provided for sensitivity throughout substantially 360degrees. More specifically, an inner member 15C of resiliently yieldablesheet material is folded about the edge margin 41, with the foldedportion 18C along the edge 40 of support 10c, and the side portions 16Cof the inner member on opposite sides of the support. An inner conductor19C, of flexible conductive sheet material is arranged in conformably,substantially completely covering relation with the inner member 15C,while an intermediate member 20c of resiliently yieldable sheet materialsubstantially completely covers the inner conductor 19C. Theintermediate member 20c may advantageously be fabricated with aplurality of thru holes or perforations 21C, and an outer conductor 25Cof flexible conductor sheet material is conformably engaged insubstantially completely covering relation with the intermediate member.An outer member 26C of resiliently yieldable sheet materialsubstantially completely covers the outer conductor 25C, and a casing27C of exible impervious sheet material substantially completely encasesthe outer member 26C. Electrical conductors 28e` and 29C may berespectively connected to the inner conductor 19C and outer conductor25C, and extend therefrom in sealed relation through and outwardlybeyond the casing 27e for connection to suitable operating means.

As will be apparent, operation of the safety edge or device 12e isessentially similar to that of the previously described safety devices,and may be sensitive to engagement throughout substantially 360 degrees.

A further embodiment of safety device or edge 12d is shown in FIGURE 7,as mounted on t-he edge face .13d of a door or other support 10d. Theedge face 13d is further provided with a longitudinally extending landor rib 43 spaced between the opposite sides of the support 10d.

The safety device 12d includes an inner member 15d of resilientlyyieldable sheet ymaterial extending longitudinally along and projectingtransversely from the edge face 13d, being folded about the rib 453 todefine a longitudinally extending fold or bight portion 18d and a pairof side portions 16d extending on opposite sides of the rib 43 to theedge face 13d. Substantially completely covering the inner member 15d isan inner conductor 19a', of flexible conductive sheet material coveringthe outer surface of inner member 15d and extending on opposite sidesthereof toward the edge face 13d. An intermediate member 20d ofresiliently yieldable sheet material, such as plastic or rubber foam, isarranged in substantially completely covering relation with the innerconductor 19d, extending on opposite sides thereof toward thesupport-edge face 13d and formed therein with a plurality of thru holesor openings 21d.

An outer conductor 25d of flexible conductive sheet materialsubstantially completely covers the intermediate member 20d, extendingon opposite sides thereof toward the support-edge face 13d, and issubstantially completely covered by an outer member 26d of resilientlyyieldable sheet material, such as plastic or rubber foam.

Encasing the outer member 26d is a cover or casing 27d of flexible,impervious sheet material, which may be sealed to the support d toeffectively maintain the safety device 12d in position on the support. Apair of electrical conductors or wires 28d and 29d may be respectivelyconnected to the inner and outer conductors 19d and 25d, and extendtherefrom for connection to suitable operating means. It will beappreciated that the safety edge or device 12d is similar in operationto the hereinbefore described safety devices, and may be folded or Ibentabout the ri-b or land 43 to assume a wide variety of configurations, asdesired.

It will now be understood that the safety device or edge of the presentinvention includes the inner, intermediate and outer members ofresiliently yieldable sheets, such as of foam plastic or rubber, insandwiching relation with respect to the inner and outer conductors.Further, the multiply, sandwich structure of inner, intermediate andouter members, and inner and outer conductors, is arcuately bent ortransversely curved as a unit to present differently directedengagement-sensing areas, up to substantially 360 degrees.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides asafety device or edge which fully accomplishes its intended objects andis `well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture,installation, maintenance and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made Withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety device comprising an elongate support, an elongate innermember of resilient yieldable material extending longitudinally alongand projecting transversely from sai-d support, an inner conductor offlexible sheet material extending on opposite sides of said inner memberto substantially envelope the latter, an intermediate member ofresiliently yieldable material in substantially completely coveringrelation with said inner conductor, said intermediate member beingformed with a plurality of spaced thru openings exposing inner-conductorportions outwardly therethrough, an outer conductor of flexible sheetmaterial substantially completely covering said intermediate member andhaving portions overlying said openings in spaced confronting relationwith said exposed inner-conductor portions, an outer member ofresiliently yieldable material in substantially completely coveringrelation with said outer conductor, and a casing of flexible sheetmaterial substantially completely covering said outer member, wherebyengagement with said casing from different directions flexes the casingand compresses said members to effect contact of said conductors throughsaid openings.

2. A safety device according to claim 1, said inner member extendingalong and about said support.

3. A safety device according to claim 1, said inner, intermediate andouter members being fabricated of foam sheets in sandwiching relationwith said inner and outer conductors, and said sheets and conductorsbeing arcuately bent to present differently directed engagement-sensingareas.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1966 Miller200-86 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. J. I. BAKER, AssistantExaminer.

1. A SAFETY DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE SUPPORT, AN ELONGATE INNERMEMBER OF RESILIENT YEILDABLE MATERIAL EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONGAND PROJECTING TRANSVERSELY FROM SAID SUPPORT, AN INNER CONDUCTOR OFFLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL EXTENDING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID INNER MEMBERTO SUBSTANTIALLY ENVELOPE THE LATTER, AN INTERMEDIATE MEMBER OFRESILIENTLY YIELDABLE MATERIAL IN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY COVERINGRELATION WITH SAID INNER CONDUCTOR, SAID INTERMEDIATE MEMBER BEINGFORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF SPACED THRU OPENINGS EXPOSING INNER-CONDUCTORPORTIONS OUTWARDLY THERETHROUGH, AN OUTER CONDUCTOR OF FLEXBLE SHEETMATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY COVERING SAID INTERMEDIATE MEMBER ANDHAVING PORTIONS OVERLYING SAID OPENINGS IN SPACED CONFRONTING RELATIONWITH SAID EXPOSED INNER-CONDUCTOR PORTIONS, AN OUTER MEMBER OFRESILIENTLY YIELDABLE MATERIAL IN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY COVERINGRELATION WITH SAID OUTER CONDUCTOR, AND A CASING OF FLEXIBLE SHEETMATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY COVERING SAID OUTER MEMBER, WHEREBYENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CASING FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS FLEXES THE CASINGAND COMPRESSES SAID MEMBERS TO EFFECT CONTACT OF SAID CONDUCTORS THROUGHSAID OPENINGS.